With Hernandez hurt, elder Gronk may see more time

FOXBORO — One of the highlights of New England’s 35-21 victory over San Diego on Sunday afternoon was the performance of Aaron Hernandez— seven catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.

By CAROLYN THORNTON | | Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO - One of the highlights of New England's 35-21 victoryover San Diego on Sunday afternoon was the performance of AaronHernandez- seven catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.

However, it now appears that the second-year tight end was alsoone of the lowlights, given the injury he suffered during one ofthose catches. Hernandez left the game midway through the fourthquarter after being hit in the left knee by the helmet of Chargerssafety Bob Sanders.

Although there was no official announcement Monday from thePatriots on his status, there have been several reports thatHernandez has suffered a sprained MCL and will be out for up to twoweeks.

If that is, indeed, the case, New England will need to fill thevoid left by the 21-year-old, who already has 14 catches for 165yards and two touchdowns in two games and last season set afranchise record for most receptions by a rookie tight end with45.

Asked about the possibility of using a receiver in place ofHernandez, coach Bill Belichick said: "We have a lot of differentskill players in our offense. We have a lot of different formationsand things. As you've seen, we use multiple personnel groups,multiple formations, so whatever we have to do, we'll use somecombination of those."

Hernandez' injury could possibly open the door for DanGronkowski to join his younger brother Rob on the field more oftenand perhaps play a more prominent role. Until now, the focus hasbeen on Rob Gronkowski and Hernandez, with Dan's role being more ofa blocking than a receiving tight end.

Although he has only been with the team for two weeks, havingbeen claimed off waivers from Denver, the elder Gronkowski saysthat he has been somewhat of a quick study, partly because NewEngland's system is similar to the one he played with the Broncos.At the time, Denver was coached by former Patriots assistant JoshMcDaniels.

"I've done a lot of it when I was with Josh McDaniels," saidGronkowski, who caught eight passes for 65 yards in 14 games withDenver last season. "Very similar. The assignments are a littledifferent, so I just have to get out there and do it once."

If his playing time is increased, Gronkowski says he's "ready toget in there and just help out the team however I can."

"I'm very comfortable, I think," he said, "and there are someinstances in the game where they're coaching us up on thesidelines. So I'm just going in there running plays that I've neverrun before. I just have to keep on reading the playbook, geteverything down, and be real comfortable."

Gronkowski says he's also been watching and learning fromHernandez and brother Rob.

"They're both young tight ends and they're really good," hesaid. "They're playmakers, and it's awesome playing with mybrother, but I also watch him on film and everything, too, and Itake notes from him, even though he's younger than me. This offenseis very dynamic, and it's fun being part of it."